XLR/USB Podcast Microphone-K688

I recently picked up the Fifine K688 after seeing some buzz online, and honestly, I'm pretty impressed. I've done a full video review on YouTube channel, (search my channel for my Fifine K688 review), and I wanted to share my thoughts here too. First off, the build quality is much better than I expected for a mic at this price point. It feels sturdy and the shock mount is already attached. Setting it up was a breeze - just plug and play using USB C, no complicated drivers needed. But for the more advance get yourself an XLR and connect via an amp or sound interface. This makes a big difference. The sound quality is where this mic really shines. For voiceovers, streaming, and even basic music recording, it delivers clear and crisp audio. I was particularly pleased with the warmth and richness it captured, which is something you don't always get with budget microphones. This is positioning itself as a Shure SM7B competitor (but at significantly less price) The cardioid pattern does a good job of rejecting background noise, which is crucial for my setup. The gain control on the mic itself is a nice touch, allowing for quick adjustments without having to dive into software settings. The mute button is also conveniently located and works perfectly. This functionality is only available when using the USB C connection. Now, it's not perfect. If you're looking for professional studio-grade sound, you'll need to invest in something more expensive. But for the average user, content creator, or someone just looking for a decent mic for online meetings, this is a fantastic value. Sound quality is excellent and for the price it punches WAY above its weight. Pros: Excellent sound quality for the price Solid build and stable stand Easy plug-and-play setup USB C/XLR connections Convenient gain control and mute button Good background noise rejection Cons: Not truely professional studio quality (but that's expected at this price) Overall, I'm very happy with my purchase. The Fifine K688 punches well above its weight and is a great all-rounder for anyone needing a reliable and affordable USB microphone. Highly recommended!

I bought this for my brother as a late Christmas gift and i have to say, with all the microphones i have had this one was defonitely worth it for the price. He uses it for streaming and the sound quality on it is immaculate. it was as simple as plug-in and use via USB - TYPE C or can be used with XLR and some sound kit Easy muting as there is a sensor on the microphone. Using the microphone arm from the same brand it has good cable covers and makes the microphone easy to adjust.

The Fifine K688 is a nice microphone with USB and XLR connectivity, offering great flexibility. While it delivers solid performance, be careful when handling it, as it can be slightly resonant. This mic truly shines when used with XLR, providing better sound quality and control. It’s easy to use, well-built, and though lightweight, it feels sturdy enough. For beginners who don’t want to invest in an audio interface just yet—or those looking for a portable, plug-and-play option—the K688 is a solid choice. Plus, it can grow with you if you decide to upgrade to an audio interface later. The zero-latency monitoring is a great feature, and with Fifine moving the capsule back, it’s now less prone to plosives. For the best results, position the mic at a 45-degree angle to your mouth and use the included windshield.

Solid microphone, nice choice of ports and features, good build quality too. Solid upgrade for anyone wanting a good plug n play microphone. Also the difference between USB C and XLR in this case is pretty minimal so if you don't have XLR use the USB C and it'll be just fine.

If you told me a 60 quid microphone could sound this good, I'd have asked you if you'd been huffin solder fumes again. Yet here I am, 2 weeks in with the K688, and me voice comes through so clear and crisp I half expect Spotify to start sending me cheques. Sexy? Aye, enough to make Barry White rise from the grave and tell me to sod off for treddin on his turf. Unidirectional pickup means it couldn’t care less about the chaos around me: dogs barking, neighbours coughing like they’re trying to get a spot in a Victorian TB ward, or me hammering on the keyboard like I’m sendin Morse code to the afterlife. The pop filter? Dense, suede-like, and posh enough that I briefly thought about donning a monocle. Blocks plosives and wind like a bouncer at Wetherspoons - quick, ruthless, and wonderin why I'm in here on a Tuesday night. I run mine through a GoXLR, EQ’d to taste (because if you can’t make yourself sound like a smooth-talking late-night DJ, what’s the point). But straight out the box? It slaps harder than a Chuck Norris roundhouse - clean, brutal, and you’ll be telling the grandkids about it. In USB mode, it’s basically its own audio interface: plug headphones straight in, twiddle volume and gain like a proper tech wizz, and mute it with a tap that makes you feel like you’re defusing a Bond villain’s nuke. Switch to XLR and them extras disappear, but who cares? Me GoXLR’s already got it covered. Ease of Use & Setup: Absolute doddle. Plug it in, job done. No drivers, no faffing, no sacrificing a goat to the tech gods. It’s the dictionary definition of plug-and-play. Compatibility: If it’s got a USB port, this mic will play nice with it. PC, laptop, maybe even your nan’s smart fridge if you’re daft enough to try. Basically, if it can record audio, the K688 will shake its hand and get on with the job. Durability: Built like it’s ready for nuclear apocalypse. Metal body solid enough to fend off burglars, sat in a plastic shock mount that’s smarter than it looks (plastic stops it rattling like a cheap cymbal). Suspended in elastic bands, it shrugs off knocks and vibrations like a hungover bloke ignoring his alarm. Bottom line? The K688 makes you wonder why people blow hundreds on “premium” mics. It’s the audio equivalent of discovering the corner chippy makes a curry that humiliates the posh Indian down the road: cheap, cheerful, and bloody brilliant.

Being a dynamic microphone, the K688 is best suited to situations like podcasts, where the user is the focus. The reason for this is due to the fact dynamic microphones are far less sensitive than condenser mics, requiring the user to be closer (around 2-6 inches from the diaphragm), and in doing so allows them to isolate your vocals and reject background noises far, far better. The K688 is a dual XLR/USB microphone, which means if you already have an audio interface or mixer, then you just need to connect via an XLR cable (not included) and you're away. If you haven't jumped into the world of XLR just yet, then you can connect the K688 via the USB-C to USB-A cable and it's up and running - albeit not quite at the same sound quality of the XLR - but it is one of the best sounding USB mics around. However, the combo route means that should you upgrade your audio gear later down the line, the K688 is able to accommodate the change to XLR. The K688 looks and feels fantastic, with a metal body and metal shock mount, along with the best feeling pop filter I've ever felt - it's almost velvet feeling, that whilst a little too thin on the top, it feels absolutely wonderful. The pop filter whilst feeling absolutely dreamy, is a little too thin, especially at the top, and because of the K688's capsule not being fully recessed from the grille, this means it doesn't reject plosives quite as well at times, but with proper microphone technique and position, this can be rectified - you could also tug the pop filter up a little more to create more of a distance, but this may also effect vocals. The K688 is a genuinely good microphone, and it offers a great opportunity to those already in the XLR scene, and those that just want a plug-and-play USB microphone with the option to upgrade to XLR later down the line.

Great mic with the option for usb or xlr personally I use usb currently as i dont have the set up for an xlr but its great I have the option for the future, the mic is made from mostly metal and some plastic and then the mic cover which works a charm, the microphone is amazing quality for the price and feels very high quality. The mute button on the top is super easy to use and a life saver if u have siblings or noisy people in the house. -- The mic arm in the picture does not come with the microphone by the way--

well i am very surprised at the sound quality of the mic just plugs straight in works out of the box the last mic i had cost double this price tag and it constantly hissed crackled and popped orded it came with in 24 hours nice packaging works well with my pc very compatible set up was easy just took old mic of boom arm replaced mic it seem very durable not as heavy as last mic noise filter is very good no popping 1 thing i think could be better placed is the mute button is underneath and the microphone volume and gain buttons are on the back of the mic so its a bit of a fiddle oh yes if u have set up correctly and get no sound check the mute button

Great Sound via usb-c and easy setup

Bin von diesem Noname Mic positiv überrascht. Am XLR an Scarlett Solo 2 / Mac kann man das Ding so hoch pegeln, dass man nicht ausschliesslich und permanent Lippenkontakt halten muss. Trotz 10, 15 cm Abstand wird fast nur die Stimme und keine Raumgeräusche eingefangen. Rauschen auch bei höheren Pegeln für mich kaum wahrnehmbar. Die Stimme klingt ausgewogen, daher für meinen Einsatz als Voiceover Mic für Video PP sehr gut geeignet. Mein Favorit im direkten Vergleich zu Røde und Sennheiser, die ihre bekannte Qualität nicht so recht im Budgetsegment (U100) platzieren können.

It's nice it sounds clear enough, it's a middle step between nothing and getting an XLR interface.

Viel Plastik, gut verarbeitet, Preiswert und guter Klang !

Considering the price its a good microphone for the most part, but I get audio cut-offs sometimes which is very annoying. If you want to buy a microphone spend a bit more for a trusted brand and quality.